Oh, friends! You came to the right place today! We’re kicking off the year with our annual behind-the-scenes post, which is a personal favorite (and one of our most popular blog days of the entire year!) We really can’t thing of a better way to celebrate the start of 2016!

Even in the hustle, bustle, and nonstop busyness of wedding days and engagement shoots, we always end up managing to grab a few behind-the-scenes shots here and there. Sometimes they’re intentional. Most of the time, they’re test shots. And there are those times when, you know, we just get in each other’s way. The thing we love about these photos, though, is that they help tell the unseen story behind every love story. Our life as wedding photographers: the good, the bad, and the ugly funny. And, in some cases, all three. Because sometimes photos are so bad… they’re good. If you’re looking for the pretty wedding photos, you’ll have to see those here. Because these photos are NOT THAT.

So, without further ado, here’s our year in review. And, for the record, that last sentence rhymed. And we feel pretty proud of that. Okay, let’s dive in!

Being luxury wedding photographers is really glamorous…

 

Until… IT’S NOT.

Let’s start with Amy Demos. The most graceful, composed half of Amy and Jordan.

How much do bridal parties love Amy? Thiiiiiiiiiiiiis much!

Probably because she teaches them everything they could ever want to know about hitch-hiking.

And uses her Spidey-skills to trap and corral family members with invisible webs.

Maybe it’s because she knows how to stand like man. No. Like a BOSS.

Or maybe it’s because she keeps groups of people hypnotized with finger puppets.

Perhaps it’s her bouquet-holding lessons…

Or her perfect cake-cutting form…

But it’s probably because her hair always stays perfectly in place and she is always setting the latest fashion trends. Like the time she realized her skirt was on backwards. AT THE RECEPTION.

Speaking of Amy’s signature looks, who knew lens hoods could be so fashionable? Jordan is always on the lookout for a “tribal arm band” spotting.

It’s also no secret that Amy is a little “vertically challenged.” But 2015 was the year that we finally said goodbye to our beloved barn stool.

And upgraded to our sleek, new, shiny stool of the future! Three cheers for the only stool on the planet to have his own name. And hashtag. Oh, you know you love #juliothestoolio.

When Julio (the Stool-io) isn’t nearby, don’t be surprised to find Amy finding other ways to get taller.

So ladylike. Just call her Lady Mary.

The epitome of femininity and grace.

Jordan, on the other hand, has some unique skills of his own.

His resume includes world-class dress-hanging…

Train-fluffing…

And brisk jogs.

If you lose Jordan, you’ll likely find him in a bush. Or a tree. Or on the ground. He’s the layering king. And pretty committed to that role.

That’s, of course, when he isn’t “bonding” with videographers.

Or helping Amy achieve the perfect shot. The ones that belong on our couple’s mantles. This is what giving them a legacy of love is all about.

But, seriously, we really are committed to getting the perfect shots every weekend.

Even when we’re the ones IN the photos. Like the time we got our new website photos taken in DC… during tourist season. And no, the man in the orange hat is NOT Annamarie Akins!

In the bride’s getting ready rooms, Amy loves hanging with all the girls in their cute matching robes.

“But wait, guys, where’s MY matching robe?”

“Oh! Here it is!”

Once everyone’s dressed, we get ready for the first look. It’s the big can’t-miss-moment. Luckily, Jordan has a built-in-test-shot-bride to make sure everything will be perfect.

Once everything is set, Amy gets our brides ready, and you can just FEEL the excitement as they start to approach their groom. One of the sweetest parts of the day.

And that’s when our grooms really start to feel the nerves, but they can always count on Jordan for clear instructions and, more importantly, for support.

Jordan’s always the first one to be there for our AJ Brides too.

You’ve probably noticed he’s quite the pack mule. He’s pretty skilled at holding EVERYTHING.

But that’s the thing. We’re more than just photographers. We’re part of the family.

You just never know when you’re going to need a spotter when the dress has to be sown up.

Or when you’re going to need a vacuum outdoors.

We’re also committed to raising up the next generation of photographers.

Of any age.

And jump in for all-in demonstrations when necessary.

We really have so much fun with everyone around us one wedding days, and are so thankful for couples who have the best senses of humor and love to laugh.

But when it comes to wedding ceremony, we mean business.

At the end of the day, we love what we do.

We truly have the best brides.

Because they are the ones who put a #demossandwich on their official family shot list.

And they’re up for any kind of adventure.

They’re the ones who pull us onto the dance floor to celebrate.

And the ones that make all the hard work worth it. Because nothing beats this feeling.

We feel blessed beyond measure.

Here’s to another amazing year! Cheers 2016!!

Looking for the PRETTY photos?! You can see those here!

Best Weddings of 2015

Best Engagements of 2015

Want more behind-the-scenes?

Behind the Scenes: 2017

Behind the Scenes: 2016

Behind the Scenes: 2015

Behind the Scenes: 2014

Behind the Scenes: 2013